A/n: Sorry for the long update. BUt here is a new chapter! Gray and Lucy moments will happen next chapter! This chapter mostly focuses on Gray's past and the question will finally be answered!
Who is Ultear!?
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy tail all rights reserved to Hiro Mashima.
Please Review and enjoy!^^
:~:~:~:
When can I see you again?
:~:~:~:
The glass door creaked open, revealing a young man with jet-black hair clad in his uniform. The emblem of the school's was on his bag resembling a Fairy mark with a tail.
He strode in the empty hall that welcomed him, the marble floor showing his reflection making his grey blue eyes almost charcoal like.
"Tadamaii" he said softly but his tone making it sound almost mock able, he looked around "I guess Lyon is not home yet," he dropped his stuff near the sofa as he walked in his large home.
Okay 'Large Home' was a humble way of putting it, it was more like a giant mansion that seemed to have endless of hallways and rooms all over the place.
Gray casually walked into his kitchen, swiftly opening the freezer to see if any of his ice-cold sweets were still tact. His twitching expression appeared as soon as he opened the freezer's door. A noticeable frown has etched its way on his face.
"Damn it Lyon, if you wanted some fudge pops you should've bought your own" he said in much annoyance.
"As if I would eat your fudge pops. You know I'm more of a fruit yogurt kind of guy," said a cool voice interrupting Gray's thought process. Though his sudden appearance did not had an effect on Gray.
"Ah Lyon you're home" he said as he closed the freezer and opened up the fridge scanning it's components, "I guess I will be making dinner for two? What a drag."
Lyon rolled his eyes "Well it wouldn't be a drag if you hadn't fired the cook and the maids" he said annoyed.
"I didn't fire all of them you brat. There are still some maids… lurking somewhere I mean how else would our laundry be done anyway? But the cook had to go, I mean we seriously don't need him when we could do much for ourselves"
Lyon tsked as he grabbed a bag of chips from the counter only to have it swatted by Gray who gave him a glare "Plus you prefer my cooking over the damn cook anyway so why should you complain?" he quirked his eyebrow as he stared up at his older brother.
Though at school it seemed Lyon loves his younger sibling (which he does) at home he switches to the casual Lyon who sometimes makes snarky remarks once in while. This is why it mostly pissed Gray off whenever he was around Lyon; he always flipped personalities depending on where they were and wished that the older Fullbuster could just pick a side and stick with it. He's mostly rooting for the Casual Lyon than the smothering one for some reason though.
Lyon slightly smiled and ruffled Gray's hair "Well I guess it can't be helped, and it does cut in our expenses so we save money" he said as he bent down to pick up the chips. Annoyed Gray slapped them back down causing Lyon to pout.
"Graaaay-chan stop being a bully and let me have a snack" the older one whined. Gray just 'hmphed' as he went off to dice the tomatoes on the counter.
"You're not allowed to have junk food before dinner, it's an insult to the chef when you don't properly finish your plate. So you're insulting me in a way you ass, plus I don't want to waste food especially on you" he said glaring.
The older one just smiled in reply and stepped back "Hai Hai then I'll let you get to it Chef-san" he hummed leaving Gray agitated as he started peeling the onions.
"Idiot" he mumbled
xxxoxxx
"Itadakimasu" the white haired boy sang cheerfully as he started to gobble down the components on his plate. Gray who sat across from him only ate silently, he watched his older brother amused as he chewed down his food.
"Sugoi Gray! I don't know how you make the food this good" Lyon chirped happily as he gulped down a glass water still chucking food down his throat.
"Well its only because I'm that amazing imprint that in your mind dear older brother of mine" he said taking a glance at one empty seat at the table and then returning his gaze to the food on the plate. This pattern happened 10 times in the past 3 minutes that even Lyon noticed.
And sadly he knew why.
He put down his fork and gave Gray a solemn stare who which didn't notice since his focus was on the food on his plate.
"Don't do that to yourself Gray" he said sadly
"Doer whert? (Do what?)" He replied munching on his piece of meat.
"Don't play dumb, and I'm saying you should stop" he said seriously.
Gray put down his fork as he caught in Lyon's tone what he was trying to say "I'm not playing dumb, now please don't remind me of that while I'm eating. I'm perfectly fine"
Lyon only sighed and took another bite of his food, munching on it quietly. He decided to change the subject as he poked a greenish round object on his plate.
"Is this avocado? "He asks wryly
"Yeah"
"You're really brilliant Gray, I would never think of putting avocado in the dish, it tastes great."
"Well I'm just that amazing" he replied as he gulped down his glass of water.
"I wonder…" Lyon trailed off as he bit off another piece "Is an avocado a fruit or vegetable?"
"Huh?"
"Don't you ever wonder? Is it a fruit or a vegetable!?" he asks excitedly but sadly also serious as well.
"No I understood what you said the first time you frosty flake. I only replied like that because I didn't think you of all people would think up of a dumb question like that. By the way it's a fruit."
"Ehhhh?" he exclaimed not caring that Gray insulted him "No way it's a fruit it's a vegetable isn't it?" he asked bewildered.
Gray shook his head "It's a fruit" he answered again. Lyon seemed to not be satisfied with that answer though.
"But aren't all fruits sweet? An avocado isn't sweet!" he argued as he slammed his fists on the table. Quite frankly the subject seemed to peek his interests.
"Then explain the lemon" Gray replied blankly, now cleaning up the plates from the table.
Lyon's expression changed slightly before giving Gray a playful smirk "That's a cheap remark"
"Since when did anything I say become cheap? The lint on my finger is worth more than some of the estate in Mangolia. Now excuse me but I will be finishing dinner in my room" he replied annoyed.
Lyon's face grew grim "Come on Gray it's been a while since we ate dinner together. Just stay I'll keep quiet if you want and I won't bring up that" he tried to persuade but Gray was already walking up the stairs.
Gray looked down on him, now not trying to keep up the charade and actually wearing the expression he usually tries not to show.
Which is being unhappy.
"Here's the thing Lyon. Sometimes just looking at you it reminds me of her and sadly right now I can't look at you sorry." He ran up the stairs leaving a distraught Lyon alone at the table.
He turned his gaze towards the empty chair that Gray was staring at most of the time during their meal. His mouth curving more into a frown as he stared at the empty seat that once belonged to someone who occupied that seat.
He drew out a sigh before he stared down at his plate. Grilled Flank Steak with a side salad containing the avocado. He only shook his head, a bit disappointed in himself for not noticing the meaning of contents on his plate.
It was Ultear's favorite meal.
"Damn it all, I wish you were here with us," he whispered.
Xxxoxxx
Gray shut the door behind him and set the plate on his dark brown desk that was occupied by his schoolwork that he had done hours ago.
He let out a content sigh before looking around to find something to do. His room was fairly large, dark and light blue paint on his walls. He had many posters of bands and quotes from well-established authors that he likes.
He had marble glass shelves that held books and books, just mountains of them and old photos of him and his friends and family.
He looked at them with indifference as he rummaged through his trunk of stuff looking for something to do.
"Just when I have all of my work done and no business meetings I can't find my PSP," He said with much annoyance, he looked up and noticed his acoustic guitar placed against the wall.
He raised an eyebrow wondering how it ever managed to get there. He picked it up and started to fiddle with it playing a few cords. He smiled a bit to himself.
"Ah it's been a while since I played this thing" he placed it down, having a feeling of excitement and energy as he rummaged through his stacks of books. He searched until his eyes lay upon a black leather book with a red flag bookmark sticking out.
He hurriedly grabbed it and opened it up almost smiling in delight as he read the words.
"My old lyric book, this brings back memories" he amused. He sat back down on his bedside and again went to play with the guitar, after more cords he stopped and turned the guitar over.
He looked at the back of it noticing words that were engraved in it, making him slightly gripping it tighter.
"Play your heart out, make sure they hear your voice. ~U."
"How can I forget?" he muttered bitterly "That you were the one to push me to actually do that?" his cheeky smile of a frown forming "And that DAMN woman, Matakun, the one to crush it all down. Life is too cruel" he chuckled darkly.
He put the guitar down and left the lyric book aside as he plopped down on his bed. He gave the ceiling a cold stare before closing his eyes, blocking off reality as he walked into a storm of memories.
~;~:~:~
"Graaaaaaaay" a cheerful voice singed "If you don't come down right now you're going to get it" cried the girl with mid length purple black hair with dark charcoal eyes and light pink lips.
"Alright Alright I'm here don't have your panties in a twist" yelled the small boy running down the stairs. The young Gray smiled in triumph giving a jeering stare at the girl in front of him who didn't look pleased.
"Watch your mouth Gray-chii, or I'll tell Lyon-nii and he will beat you up" the girl smiled tauntingly causing Gray to glare at her menacingly.
"You want Lyon-nii to fight your own battles? Pfft you're so weak" he replied
"I'm not weak!" she stomped her foot "I'm just as capable of beating you into a pulp I just don't want to get my hands dirty" she pouted.
Gray only waved her off as if her remark meant nothing "Pish Posh. You couldn't even lay a finger on me even with Lyon-nii on your side" the boy stated as he grinned at her. He loved to piss her off.
The girl just glared at him but her expression changed as she frowned tremendously, her black eyes started to water and sniffling noises were heard.
Gray looked at her baffled and worry waved over him "O-oi! What's wrong?" he looked at her quizzically but then his body flinched after noticing the tense atmosphere that seemed to surface behind him.
The girl only bawled louder causing the young boy to gulp.
"Doushita no Ultear-Chan?" the voice behind Gray asked. He noted that though the voice sounded sweet it had an edge to it.
"L-Lyon-nii" the girl stammered "G-gray-chii w-was b-being mean to m-me a-and then he pushed me down to t-the g-ground" the girl cried as her tears spilled over.
"I DID NOT!" retorted Gray as he managed to gain the courage to spin around and face his older brother "I did no such thing!"
The older Fullbuster just looked down on his younger brother, he narrowed his eyes and gave him a disappointing look then shook his head and went past him.
"Sorry Ultear-chan Gray-chan can be a jerk sometimes but don't let that get to you" he said, he hugged the younger girl trying to comfort her. "Don't worry I will get Gray-Chan back."
The tone in his voice made Gray shuddered but then 'tsked', Ultear had him beat but he knew there was no point in trying to get the girl back. She was smart and conniving kind of like his mother Ul.
"Whatever" he said. He noticed the girl gave him a wicked smile while still in the arms of Lyon; he glared at her before trudging off to the kitchen where he heard his mother.
"Gray!" she beamed giving the boy a big smile, like Ultear she had charcoal eyes but had Gray's sleek jet-black hair that reached barely before her shoulders. She was with Stephanie, a business associate and also good friend. Gray didn't really like Stephanie but never made any complaints about her since he wants his mom to be happy.
"Yeah?" he asks warily as he reaches the fridge raiding it. The mother only chuckled while her companion seemed to roll her eyes.
"I was just telling Stephanie about your music lessons! And how it's exciting that you will be able to play the instruments like the ones in your favorite band play!" she giggled excitedly.
Stephanie only shook her head, her dirty blonde locks whipping past her cheeks, huffing a sigh "And I was just telling your mother here that she shouldn't be wasting her money on stuff such as music and silly things and should be more focused on the foundation of her children's education."
The boy only rolled his eyes at her and grunted, Ul only looked at her friend skeptically
"Now why would I do that? Gray is going at a good pace at school and is in the top of his class, I don't want to be that mom stopping his creativeness flowing!" she reprimanded
Her friend only 'hmphed' in response and placed her soft hand beneath her cheek that was powdered with too much foundation "But you need to think of your kids future Ul, do you really think this kid can go anywhere with art and such? No if I were you I would be focusing on his business skills and social relations and etiquette!"
Ul only shook her head in disagreement "Stephanie I know where you're getting from but I have to let them know that they can be whatever they wish to be. Even if the career my children choose is not stable compared to ours, if they're happy then I'm happy I hope you understand" the woman smiled at her colleague.
Gray grinned at his mother's remark and gave Stephanie a proud huff before walking away "That sounds great mom. But don't forget to take Ultear to her singing lessons you know how she gets" he said.
Stephanie frowned and watched her colleague with UN amused eyes "Hai Hai" the woman giggled.
Gray softly smiled before taking a swing from his bottle of water that he got from the fridge, mostly stalling because he still didn't want to face the wrath of Lyon.
"So anyways Ul, have you gotten the documents ready?" said the woman, her voice having a sour tone to it but Ul didn't seem to notice.
The woman smiled in reply "Ah yes! They're right here just ready to be signed by you and me. Thanks a lot for agreeing to this, I know it's not good to worry about this but if something happens then I could be assured that my children are well taken care of"
This caught the boy's attention after swallowing a certain amounts of liquid, it was unusually too cold for his taste and so he stopped chugging it.
Which was peculiar to him since Gray liked cold things.
"What's this about mom?" he asked Ul after she gave the said documents to Stephanie, he had an unnerving feeling in his stomach but pushed it aside thinking it was the very cold liquid that he drank was causing his stomach to hurt.
"Aree? Didn't I tell you? OH then that means I haven't told everyone! Kids! Come here for a second" she called.
Gray sat down on one of the black stools near the white counter, he was facing Stephanie and just the mere sight of her was making him feel irritable.
He didn't know why but ever since he met this Miss Stephanie Banks he just got a bad vibe from her. She had dried up dirty blonde hair that reached to her mid-back when she wears it down but normally wears it in a tight bun.
She wears dark red lipstick and has a small mole near the upper right cheek. She has very sharp green emerald eyes and has a petite body. She usually wears a black trench coat with a black pencil skirt and high heels. She wears an exceeding amount of makeup that she needs to tone down a bit.
He didn't like her attitude towards his mother but he figured his mother was too naïve to see her colleague's true colors.
She is also way younger than Ul, way younger. He's 10 now so she might be 5-7 years older than him. Apparently she is one of the supervisor's daughters so she got a head start into the business.
So he has no idea on how the two ever became friends though he had heard the story before. But of course the story never intrigued him enough for him to pay attention to the small details.
But damn does he wish to remember now since the bad feeling in his stomach hasn't submerged.
"Yeah mom?" called Ultear as she came skipping in with a lollipop in hand, most likely to have received it from Lyon. The white haired Fullbuster came strolling in a few moments after she entered.
"Is there something wrong mom?" he asks, he paused after he gave a death glare to Gray who noticed and fidgeted closer to Ul. He looked back at her and smiled sweetly.
"I have some news for you all" she said as she prompted herself up from her chair. Stephanie did also with a smirk on her face.
"As you all know me and Stephanie have been close friends ever since mommy transferred jobs here. And she helped us all out after your father passed away" she said sadly. The kids nodded still a bit glum after the passing of their father, which was a few years ago.
"So it got me thinking that it would take the load off of me if I knew there was someone to take care of you guys if something bad happens."
Ultear furrowed her eyebrows and tugged at her mother's pant leg "Are you sick Mommy? Is everything okay?" she asked worriedly. Ul smiled softly at her only daughter and patted her head gently.
"Mommy is fine dear. But if something happens in the future and I'm unable to take care of you guys I want to be sure that you guys will still be fine"
"And that's where I come in" chirped up the woman having a slightly amusing tone hidden in her voice.
Gray and Lyon frowned as the crease in their forehead deepens.
"What does she mean mom?" asked the confused Lyon. Ul bent down and ruffled the kid's hair making his white spiked up hair even messier. She did likewise with Gray as well.
"Well to put it simple, Kids, Stephanie will be your new God mother!"
Both Gray and Ultear's eyes bulged out, Lyon kept and indifferent face plastered on. Stephanie was smirking while Ul was grinning happily.
"Isn't that great?" their mother asked.
"Yeah? Isn't it great darlings~" Stephanie sung in an almost mocking way. Boy did she knew the kids hated her but she seemed to get a kick out of torturing them.
"Eh?!" Ultear cried bewildered "So if something bad ever happens to mommy, Stephanie-san will be our new mother?"
"Uhh well more or less. It's not like she will be replacing me sweetie but she will have the rights to take care of you if I'm gone" replied her mother.
Ultear forced the tips of her mouth to go up as she answered "U-uh well yeah that's g-great I guess. Right Gray-chii? Lyon-nii?" she asked her two brothers. Mostly to get her out of their situation.
Gray only twitched in agitation as he tried to tame his frustrated sigh, Lyon only smiled naturally "Yeah whatever mother sees fit I see nothing wrong with it."
The mother nodded, approving her son's answer "It's good to know all of you approve. Well why don't you guys run along and play before I take you to your music lessons and Lyon to his soccer practice. Mommy still needs some business to take care of okay?"
The kids nodded leaving their mother with their soon to be 'God mother', Gray clutched his stomach as they exited out of the kitchen. Not bothering to care about his stomachache.
It looks like his stomach saw this coming and was trying to warn him.
:~;~:~:
"Well this sucks!" cried the tempered girl as she stomped her foot in the grass. Her face was flushed and her cheeks were puffed out.
The boys decided it was best to play in the garden while they wait for their mom, plus it's a good place to be to break something. That way if they had to urge to throw something nothing inside the house will get broken.
"You're telling me, I don't want smelling Stephanie to be our God mother" fumed Gray as he kicked Lyon's soccer ball towards him. Rather hard we might add.
Lyon caught hedge on and felt the heat sting in his hands, the friction from the ball made him chafe his hands a bit.
"Well there's nothing we can do right? Plus it's not like Stephanie will be our mom, its only if mom gets too sick or dies and I highly doubt that will happen soon so we don't have to worry" the oldest of the two tried to reassure.
But his two younger siblings glared at him "I know that Lyon-nii, but I would rather have Laxus-san be our Godmother than that batty snobby old fart" said Ultear in triumph causing Gray to laugh in response.
"First off Laxus-san is 14, he can't be our God Mother, plus he would have to be a girl in order to be our God mother."
"What difference does it make? She is only like 18 or something! It just means I rather have anyone else to be our God-mother than that twat Stephanie" the 10-year-old girl fumed.
Lyon smiled at her before forcing himself to have a disappointing frown "Ultear watch your language. NO matter how bad a person is you shouldn't be using those words" he chastised the girl.
Ultear looked down blushing, she felt ashamed because she didn't want to rude things but the situation got the best of her and she could contain her emotions. She felt a pat on her shoulder and looked up to see Gray smiling at her.
He gave her reassuring grin and thumbs up "Stop worrying about this, Lyon-nii is right we have nothing to worry about because our mom is healthy and alive. So lets just do what we do best ne?"
The girl nodded, she jumped and gave Gray a surprise hug, which caught the latter off guard. He could feel his cheeks being tinted pink out of embarrassment "O-oi! Get off me you freak!"
The girl only snuggled closer "Arigatou Gray-chii " she whispered. She let go and gave Lyon a giggle "You too Lyon-nii"
The boy grinned and ran up to his two siblings and squished tem together in a hug "We don't have to worry we all have each other"
"Right!" the two kids chorused.
"And we will always stick together!"
"Yes!" they all shouted pumping their fists in the air.
"Lyon, Ultear, Gray! It's time to go or we'll be late!" their mother voice ranged. The kids nodded "Coming!" they ran to the gates that led to their drive way.
Lyon unlatched the gate and went out first, followed by Gray but then he was pulled back from a tug on the back of his shirt. He turned back to meet the black eyes of his sister.
"What?"
"Promise me," she said hastily. He quirked an eyebrow up as he wasn't following her statement.
"Promise you what?"
She looked down, she hesitated a bit before taking a deep breath and giving Gray a serious stare.
"That if anything happens, and though everything changes, promise me one thing," she said quietly.
He looked back at her sadly and clasped his hands with hers. She looked at the grasp of his hand on hers and how it felt firm and warm. Her eyes locked with his dark blue ones that were giving her assurance that everything will be all right.
"That no matter what me, you, and Lyon-nii will always be together"
"Of course that's a gi—"
"And also" she interrupted "That no matter what, we will follow our dreams and let no one take that away from us"
Gray nodded hesitantly not knowing where this was coming from, but knowing his sister she might have a reason.
"Okay"
"We have to have our voices heard Gray, and with this Stephanie thing, I don't want to keep secrets or keep quiet on anything anymore. If there is something I don't like I will make sure to voice my opinion and I don't want you or Lyon to judge me on that"
He gave her soft smile before she patted her head "Yeah I get you, I know what you mean"
"And that goes for you too Gray, do what you want to do"
He let out a small laugh before sheepishly rubbing the back of his head "Okay I get I get it. Hurry up I hear mom calling us to get in the car"
The girl nodded before she moved towards the exit of the garden, she stopped in her tracks "Oh and Gray?"
"Yeah?" he asked
"I heard you singing while you were playing your guitar" she smiled playfully
He looked back at her shock "Y-you w-what?" he was blushing madly "Y-you heard me?"
She giggled before running away knowing the Gray would surely chase her after hearing this, which he was.
"I just wanted to say you sounded really good!" which caused the young boy to blush more.
"Keep Quiet will you!" he barked
:~:~:~:~:~:
Gray blinked his eyes open, looking up he saw the ceiling again. How long was he asleep for? He checked his digital clock on his nightstand.
"8:40 huh? Wow I zoned out longer than expected," he said groggily. He stood up and decided he needed a cool drink to cool his nerves.
He passed by an old photo frame of him with Lyon.
And Ultear.
He marched downstairs and looked around, there was no Lyon so he figured the older brother was probably in his room now. Gray sighed in relief before stepping out of the dining room to the kitchen.
'How long has it been since you've been gone? Though I know it's been 2 years it seems like forever.' He thought sadly, he grabbed the remaining bottled water from the fridge before closing it and started to chug down its contents.
He wiped his mouth as some water escaped and stained his cheeks. He sat down on one of the stools near the counter and grabbed the bag of chips he forced Lyon not to eat not very long ago.
He opened the bag and munched on the chips slowly, in taking its entire flavor before heaving a content sigh.
He looked back on his life to see where everything had gone wrong, and he knew it was the moment his mother signed those document forms. He didn't know how that woman convinced his mom but she did and now his life is in her hands.
"That little bitch" he muttered quietly not hearing the clicking of high heels entering the home. The clicking got louder until it reached the kitchen.
"Ahh you're here" said a voice in annoyance. Gray didn't bother to look up to see who it was, so he ignored the remark and took another swing of water.
"Ungrateful brat -hic-doesn't even greet me -hic- properly," said the woman's voice as she moved closer to the kitchen. Gray had a satisfied smirk playing on his face.
"Ohh lookie here Caretaker! Wow it's been three weeks and you're back so soon? I completely forgot that you moved back with us," he said tauntingly.
The woman only looked at him groggily "Huh? -hic-" she replied dumbfounded "As the woman -hic- who is responsible for you -hic-learn some manners and -hic- treat me with some respect -hic- you low life" she spatted.
Gray looked at her disgustingly, in the many years of knowing her this woman Stephanie has changed. Her dirty blonde hair was now a platinum blonde and instead of reaching her mid back it went above her shoulders and her hair was in a sleek cut.
She wears more colors and clothing now, sluttier kinds in Gray's opinion. And though she still kept that petite figure some other parts of her body changed. Mostly in the chest area.
Well hey at least she took his advice on the makeup, but she still looks hideous in Gray's eyes, and she's drunk he might also add.
"I will treat you with some respect if you didn't come home drunk you hag"
She only scoffed in reply as she opened the fridge looking for something to eat and ice to cure her headache from the hang over. But instead she took out a glass and a bottle of wine. Gray rolled his eyes before taking his chips and water with him quietly to his room.
But her voice stopped him.
"Gray" she said coldly
"What?"
"Business meeting at 8:00a.m. Be there"
"I have school"
"Just skip it"
His eyes narrowed at her "NO" he replied bluntly. But she didn't look taken back.
"Fine, then. I will just stop paying for your tuition there"
Gray gritted his teeth and he raked his hand through his hair out of frustration "Fine. Whatever. Happy?"
She gave him a seductive smile before replying "Yes. Don't be late~ I'm counting on you. Darling~" she purred.
He almost vomited as he heard those words directed towards him. The aching feeling in his stomach returned and so he just left her there silently drinking her glass of wine.
The woman smiled deviously as she watched the wine be swished in the glass by the motions she was making with her hands.
"AH! Dumb little Gray when will he ever accept that this is his life now? I don't want him to end up like Ultear do I?" she whispered to her self-chuckling darkly.
And evilly.
Don't you worry Don't you worry child, see heaven's got a plan for you
ACK SORRY FOR THE LONG UPDATE but hey now i can get back on track with fluffed up memories and Its complicated now am i right? no?;_; okay then
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x Pika-Chan